Chapter 3

The next morning Hermione woke up at six o'clock. Safe in the knowledge that Tonks and Lupin didn't get up for another couple of hours Hermione pulled on her dressing gown and walked as quietly as possible downstairs into the Kitchen. She quietly called for jingles the house elf.

"What would Madam like from Jingles?" asked the house elf

"Could you please get me some breakfast and a strong cup of coffee?"

"Yes madam. Right away."

"Thank you."

Jingles disappeared and then returned with some muesli, toast, jam and a pot of strong steaming hot coffee. Hermione sat down at the table to eat and to think. While eating Hermione decided that she would write to Snape and ask him to meet her at the Headquarters later to "talk" about what happened. She needed to tell him about her talk with Tonks and what would happen next. One thing Hermione couldn't stop thinking about was that he doesn't actually like her it was all just said in the heat of the moment, or he slept with her because he could. She knew she was stupid to think it, but she couldn't help. She was deep in thought and didn't hear Lupin come downstairs.

Lupin woke up after another nightmare about attacking children. He had these dreams on and off as he always feared attacking someone especially a child. When he looked at the time, he didn't see much point in going back to sleep so decided he would go downstairs and read while having breakfast. When he walked into the kitchen he saw Hermione sat gazing out of the window with her breakfast half eaten in front of her. She was always up early, he knew that, but he rarely saw her sat like this.

He looked at the young woman he thought of as the daughter he never thought he could have. She was smart and intelligent and very beautiful. She always seemed to be oblivious about the last fact, never acknowledging the attention she got from men. He was very proud of the way she had handled herself and everything that happened during the war.

When she returned home and found her parents dead, she didn't cry. She was always composed in company. He expected that when she was alone she would grieve for her parents but never in public would she cry. During the final battle when she stumbled upon the bodies of her school friends she didn't cry. She got up and carried on fighting firing hexes and jinxes in all directions. This was what made Lupin so proud.

Lupin proceeded forward into the Kitchen making Hermione jump having been startled.

"Sorry Hermione. I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's okay Lupin. Honestly. How long have you been stood there" answered Hermione

"Just a few minutes. Tell me to mind my own business, but is there something wrong. Has something happened or anything you want to talk about. I know your are a private person Hermione but I am always here for you. You do no that don't you?"

"Thank you Lupin. I know you care, but I'm fine. Honestly there's nothing to worry bout. It's just such a lovely day I was lost in it." Hermione plastered a fake smile on her face and walked of up the stairs to her bed room. She closed the door behind her and ran to her bed lay on it and cried into her pillow, not understanding why.

Lupin was left stood alone in the kitchen wondering why Hermione had walked of. She was distracted and upset and he was determined to find out why. 'Something happened yesterday with her and Snape' he though ' if he's touched her or hurt her I will hex him into next week.'

Sat in her room Hermione sent the letter to Snape asking him to come round in a couple of hours and to reply as soon as possible. While she waited she had a long hot shower. She got out and wrapped a towel around her body. She wiped the mirror so it wasn't covered in steam and brushed her teeth. She walked back into her room and got dressed.

Just as she sat down to put her socks on there was a tapping at the window. Hermione opened it and in flew an owl dropping a letter on her bed and flew of again. Hermione picked up the letter and saw the familiar long slanted writing of Severus Snape. Her heart skipped a beat and she opened it. It read:

Hermione,

Thank you for your letter.

I hope this reaches you in time.

I will arrive at Headquarters at 11 o'clock.

I hope you are ok and anticipate out meeting

S.Snape

She read and reread the letter several times. He still manages to be his cold sadistic self after what was said and happened yesterday. 'May be I was right to have doubts' Hermione pondered. She looked at the clock it read 10:15. Realising she had so little time she sat at her dressing table and attempted to tame her hair. It wasn't the bushy, unruly hair that it used to be but it still wasn't the sleek and smooth locks she wished for.

When Hermione was ready she went downstairs to wait for Snape to arrive. She entered the kitchen and asked for Jingles to make her some coffee. She sat sown the book she had been reading. Ten minutes later there was a knock at the door. She turned to face it and stood there was Severus Snape his usual dark, drab robes. Hermione didn't understand why but her hear skipped a beat.

"Hello Hermione"

"Hello Severus, please come sit down" replied Hermione pointing to a chair " would you like some coffee?"

"Yes please"

Jingles brought the coffee and left again. They sat in an awkward silence snatching glances at each other when they weren't looking. Snape felt quite strange. He had never acted or felt this way before. This beautiful young woman had changed him form the man he was into one who was capable of caring and loving. She truly was amazing.

Snape couldn't take the silence any longer' I have to say something. I can't let this woman go. You are Severus Snape. You are never lot for words so say something.'

"Hermione, about yesterday, well…" 'God what do I say'

Hermione sensed his hesitation she didn't think this was going to be good. To save her humiliation she decided to speak up.

"Dont say anything else. I know what you are going to say. Maybe it was just a mistake. If you don't want me you should have just said so. Now if you don't mind I will leave." Hermione stood up tears treating to break free from her eyes. She started to walk away when she felt a hand on her arm pull her back.

Snape said "Hermione, you're getting it wrong. I meant everything I said yesterday. I am just not used to this. You have changed me and I don't know how to act anymore. Maybe it was a mistake sleeping with you yesterday, so soon, but I do love you and I do want you. It just shocked me that you could feel the same. Pleas don't walk away."

Hermione started crying and snap pulled her into a hug "Shhhh, calm down. It's ok." Snape had shocked himself. He didn't know he could feel like this or care like this. He didn't understand hoe anyone could feel for him either.

"I'm sorry Severus. I was scared."

"It's ok. I understand. I can see that there is something else bothering you. Talk to me my love.

Hermione looked away. She didn't want to ruin the atmosphere. Hermione knew by saying this Severus would be angry at her, but she couldn't hide it anymore.

"Severus, I think you need to speak to Lupin. He knows something is wrong and I cant carry on lying to him."

Snape looked at Hermione and nodded he knew he would have to face the new father figure sooner ort later but he would have rather it would have been later.

"I will talk to him now im here. You wait here. I saw him in the library" He kissed her for head and left.

She sat and pretend to read for twenty long, slow, agonizing minutes. She heard the odd shout and crashes and bangs odd sorts. She finally saw the shape of Severus in the doorway and looked up. Reading her mind he said

"He was angry and hexed me a lot but he calmed down when tonks spoke to him. It seems you spoke to her last night."

Hermione looked at the floor blushing and felt ashamed that she has spoken about something so private.

"It's ok. Remus just warned met hat if I hurt you or left you he would do more than some Harmless hexes." Laughed Severus.

Hermione looked up and ran into Snapes arms. Content that at last her life was going right.

"I love you." Sighed Hermione in an audible whisper.

"I love you. I won't ever hurt you, my little sweetheart."